The psychiatrist said that although she was “softly spoken” she was able to explain to him that her wish was to terminate the pregnancy as “she felt that she could not cope with its continuance and it would stress her to a considerable degree”.

The judge said it was for the girl to “decide what she wishes to do”.

Tests revealed the girl was probably more than 20 weeks pregnant when the case first went before the High Court as an emergency hearing in mid-March.

The local authority, which is in the North of England, was forced to seek a declaration that she had the capacity to make the abortion decision herself.

“I am completely satisfied that (she) has sufficient understanding and intelligence,” he said in his ruling.

“It will now be for her to decide what she wishes to do.”

The High Court ruling was required to ensure that doctors and the hospital could not be sued if they carried out the abortion.

If the girl was not able to understand the situation, the local authority would be allowed to terminate the pregnancy if doctors believed it was in her best interests.

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